A 50-yard bunker shot can be less intimidating with a good setup and proper fundamentals.
First, examine your lie. Is it sitting up or buried? On an upslope, downslope or side slope? Here, I have a shot from a slight downslope and selected my 52-degree Nike Engage wedge that’s typically my 100-yard club from the fairway.
I’ve drawn lines in the sand for where I’m aiming – the middle of the green as I anticipate the ball fading because of the lie – and for my clubface, which is perpendicular to that line. Experiment with an open and square clubface for distance control but, if you open the face, adjust your aim and body more to the left.
Place the ball in the middle of your stance, or slightly forward, to clip an inch of sand behind the ball as compared to 2 or 3 inches when in a greenside bunker. Have about 65 percent of your weight on the forward foot.
The swing should be what’s employed from a greenside bunker: relaxed hands, legs and an active left arm. Take the club back to about three-quarters of a full swing, keep your lower body quiet and keep most of the weight on your front foot. On the downswing, keep your head still and knees bent (or athletic) through impact. Increase speed through the hitting zone and finish with your left arm around at your side and torso pointing toward the target.
Practice these fundamentals for more confidence, birdies and pars from a previously troubling spot.
Jackie Kazarian is an assistant golf professional, a PGA apprentice and the sales and marketing manager at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point. She can be reached at (949) 542-4840.
